Final answer:
Punctuation changes the meaning of sentences significantly. By adding, removing, or shifting commas and other punctuation marks, we can change the mode of a statement, clarify which words belong together, and alter who is being addressed or what is being referred to in each sentence.
Step-by-step explanation:
To alter the meaning of a sentence by changing its punctuation, here are two different punctuations for each example:
- a) I took English, history, and geography lessons. (Implying three separate subjects)
I took English history, and geography lessons. (Implying the history is specifically English history) - b) Fancy cakes, for tea. (Suggesting that the fancy cakes are being offered for tea as a statement)
Fancy cakes for tea? (Asking if one should prepare fancy cakes for tea) - c) Let me introduce you to Robert, James. (Introducing Robert to James)
Let me introduce you, to Robert James. (Introducing the full name of a single person, Robert James) - d) Peter your cousin is waiting for you. (No commas, implying that Peter is the cousin referred to)
Peter, your cousin, is waiting for you. (Commas indicate that 'your cousin' is an appositive, providing additional information about Peter) - e) Can you wait a minute, while I wash Harry? (Asking someone to wait while a person named Harry is being washed)
Can you wait a minute while I wash, Harry? (Addressing Harry and asking for a minute to wash oneself) - f) I thought Joe would like, Charlie, here. (Implies that Charlie is here, and the speaker thought Joe would appreciate this)
I thought Joe would like Charlie here. (Suggests that the speaker imagined a scenario where Joe enjoyed Charlie's presence, in an unspecified place)